Hope

When people today say they hope for something, what they often mean is that they wish for something.

“I hope that my children turn out right” means “I wish for my children to turn out right.” “I hope I will have a nicer home someday” means “I wish I could have a nicer home.” In both instances, the hope is some uncertain thing in the future. We do not know that our children will turn out right or that we will get a nicer home.

But when the Bible uses the word hope, it is often referring to something that, while in the future, is certain. It shall — not may — come to pass.

In my prayers, I often thank God for the hope of heaven. That is not because I am uncertain about my eternal home, but because I am certain. Colossians 1:5 speaks of “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8 says that the “hope of salvation” is part of our protection. Something that is uncertain is not much protection, but our salvation is certain, if we have accepted the free gift Ephesians 2:8–9 speaks of. That free gift is Jesus, “which is our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1), having been born to die — “the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18) — for you and for me.

It is my prayer you have this type of hope this Christmas season. If you do not, please read this. God’s blessings on you and your family.